I have rarely, if ever, initiated a post here that dealt purely with politics. But here goes.

This pisses me off. No other way to say it.
(link...)

Sorry of most of it is behind the RCN's paywall. But Beth Harwell is talking about legislation that will keep people from being able to vote their choices.

Here's a quote from Damon Lawrence's article:
"Democrats voting in Republican primaries could become a thing of the past.
“We actually have a piece of legislation drafted that would close our primaries, and I’m using that as a starting ground,” said State Speaker of the House Beth Harwell. “I’ve asked my research analyst to look at what other states are doing and see what works well and what doesn’t work well.”"

She goes on to note how Democrats "cross-voting" in Republican primaries has messed things up according to some Republicans. So what? It happens both ways, and that's the cost of doing business! It's juyst one of those un-tidy things about politics and elections. It is worth the cost to have freedom of deciding how to vote.

In fairness to Ms Harwell, later in the article she is quoted as saying she tends to oppose restricting primaries. "Harwell, one of the most powerful Republicans in the state, said she leans against restricting primaries. “The only way we grew as a party is Democrats and Independents decided that they could support a Republican candidate,” she said.
In speaking with people, Harwell said she finds that many are Independents who base their vote on the person rather than party. “We would force those people who like to have the Independent title into one party or the other,” she said. “Now there’s arguments for that, but there are also arguments against it as well. Believe me, I will let it have a fair hearing in the legislative process.”" I hope she lives up to the promise in the last sentence.

Here's my beef: When I go vote, I want to be able to vote for whomever I think is the best candidate, whether they are on a Demoocrat or Republican ticket - even in primaries. I have always voted in whichever primary the candidate I prefer happens to be in. It is asinine and more to try to prohibit me from doning that. I AM neither a Republican nor a Democrat. I do not wish to be categorized as either. And I sure as shootin' am going to continue to vote for whomever I please, no matter which primary I need to choose to vote for them!

I could say more, but it would make this into an X-rated publication, which is something I know WC would prefer I not do. :-)

RB